Kukla's Korner Hockey

Afterward, Claude Giroux called it the worst loss in what’s been a disappointing season.

“Yeah, when you’re up 4-1, you gotta find a way to close the game up,” the Flyers captain said.

The Flyers built their big lead in a first period in which they outshot Pittsburgh 18-4, and in the process Penguins goalie Marc-Andre Fleury sure looked rattled letting in a terrible goal before getting yanked.

“We talked after the first period that the Pittsburgh Penguins are not going to sit back and just hand over two points,” Hartnell said. “They were going to come back, and lo and behold, before we know it, it’s 4-4.

“We just can’t do that. It’s embarrassing to the fans. It’s embarrassing to one another and we let another two points slip away.”

To just pin it on Fleury is unfair. Everyone is too worried about making a big hit than just playing solid defense. The first period was a good example. 4 shots for, 18 against. Granted, Fleury should have had at least the 3rd goal, but what can you do? Vokoun looked no better against the Flyers last game, and Fleury was spectacular the first game of this year.

Flyers have to get Bryz a break too. He’s going to be dead by the end of the year and if they make the playoffs.